Melbourne Home Renovation Cost Guide
Real 2026 numbers for Melbourne renovations — broken down by room and quality tier. Built on hundreds of fixed-price quotes we've written for Victorian homeowners. No vague ranges, no nasty surprises.
What does a Melbourne renovation actually cost in 2026?
House renovation costs in Melbourne in 2026 typically land somewhere between $80,000 for a budget cosmetic refresh and $450,000+ for a premium full renovation with a rear extension. The honest answer is: it depends on three things — the size of the works, the quality tier of finishes, and the condition of your existing home.
Material costs have stabilised since the 2022–2024 spikes, but skilled trade rates in Melbourne remain elevated. Expect carpenters at $85–$120/hr, licensed plumbers at $130–$180/hr and registered electricians at $110–$160/hr in 2026.
The numbers below are real ranges from fixed-price quotes Tetris Homes has prepared across Bayside, the Inner East, Inner North, and Eastern suburbs. All figures include GST.
Kitchen renovation costs in Melbourne
Melbourne kitchen renovations in 2026 sit between $25,000 and $90,000+ depending on cabinetry, stone selection, appliance tier, and whether you're moving plumbing or removing walls.
| Tier | Typical cost | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | $25,000 – $40,000 | Flat-pack or entry custom cabinetry, laminate benchtops, mid-tier appliances, keep existing layout and plumbing rough-ins. |
| Mid-range | $40,000 – $65,000 | Custom 2-pac cabinetry, 20mm engineered stone, quality Australian appliances, new splashback, minor layout changes. |
| Premium | $65,000 – $90,000+ | Bespoke joinery, full-height stone splashback, integrated European appliances, butler's pantry, structural reconfiguration. |
Want a detailed kitchen breakdown? See our kitchen renovations service →
Bathroom renovation costs in Melbourne
A Melbourne bathroom renovation in 2026 typically costs $18,000–$55,000. The biggest variables are tiling height, tapware brand, and whether you're moving the toilet or shower.
| Tier | Typical cost | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | $18,000 – $28,000 | Standard porcelain tiling, mid-tier tapware, prefab shower screen, vanity from stock range, same footprint. |
| Mid-range | $28,000 – $42,000 | Full-height tiling, custom vanity with stone top, frameless shower, freestanding bath, quality Australian tapware. |
| Premium | $42,000 – $55,000+ | Designer stone slab walls, heated floors, in-wall cisterns, premium European tapware, structural layout changes. |
Planning a bathroom? See our bathroom renovations service →
Extension & addition costs
Extensions are priced per square metre of new floor area. A typical 40m² rear living/kitchen extension in 2026 costs $160,000–$210,000 at mid-range spec.
| Tier | Typical cost | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Budget single-storey | $3,500 – $4,200 / m² | Project-home spec finishes, standard windows, basic kitchen/bathroom inclusions, simple roof line. |
| Mid-range single-storey | $4,200 – $5,200 / m² | Architectural design, double-glazed windows, raked or vaulted ceiling, quality joinery, considered detailing. |
| Premium / second storey | $5,200 – $7,500 / m² | Full architectural build, steel structure, premium glazing, complex roof, high-end internal finishes, second-storey loading. |
Whole-home renovation costs
Most whole-home Melbourne renovations land in one of three brackets:
- Cosmetic refresh ($80k–$150k): paint, flooring, kitchen and bathroom updates, no structural work.
- Mid-range renovation ($180k–$320k): reconfigured layout, new kitchen and 1–2 bathrooms, some structural changes, no major extension.
- Premium renovation & extension ($350k–$700k+): full reconfiguration with rear or upper-level extension, architectural detailing, premium finishes throughout.
Why fixed pricing = no nasty surprises
Every Tetris Homes contract is fully fixed-price. Before you sign, we complete a full site assessment, lock in your selections, and itemise every cost line — including the hidden items above. The number on page one is the number you pay.
Variations only happen if you change your mind or council changes a requirement — and every variation is quoted and approved in writing before any work begins.
Get a fixed-price renovation plan for your home
Free 30-minute Renovation Planning Consult — we'll walk through scope, indicative budget, and the realistic path to a fixed-price quote on your Melbourne home.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a house renovation cost in Melbourne in 2026?
$80,000 for a budget cosmetic refresh up to $450,000+ for a premium full renovation with extension. Kitchens $25k–$90k, bathrooms $18k–$55k, extensions $3,500–$5,500/m².
What is the average kitchen renovation cost in Melbourne?
Mid-range Melbourne kitchen renovations typically cost $35,000–$60,000 in 2026, including cabinetry, stone benchtops, appliances, plumbing and electrical.
How long does a Melbourne renovation take?
A standalone kitchen or bathroom usually takes 4–8 weeks on site. A mid-range whole-home renovation runs 16–28 weeks. A renovation with rear extension typically takes 6–9 months including design and permits.
Why do renovation quotes vary so much?
Cheap quotes usually exclude PC items, hidden trades, structural surprises, council fees, or rubbish removal. A genuine fixed-price renovation contract should itemise every line — that's the only way to compare quotes fairly.